Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

What defines a classic movie? It's a movie that captured the aura of an era, was a break through in it's time, and is still entertaining and socially prevalent today. Rebel Without a Cause takes a look at juvenile delinquency in the 1950's. The movie follows Jim Stark (James Dean) as he tries to fit himself into a new town. He struggles with meeting people and getting in with the "cool" kids/greasers.

I had the opportunity to see an original print screening of Rebel Without a Cause at the Gene Siskel Film Center. The Gene Siskel is mainly a first run art house theatre where they show anything from first run art films to older obscure films. This was my first time going to the Gene Siskel, and although I wasn't in their main theatre, it was still a pretty cool experience. Their theatres, they have two screens, are both THX certified, which means wonderful sound reproduction including a subwoofer under the floor, the theatre is "floating" meaning it doesn't touch the rest of the builsing structure for extra sound proofing, and intense double doors into the theatre making sure no sound gets in our out. The seats were uber comfortable and the theatre was very intimate. The film center also has a cafe with classic movie posters and pictures of old movie stars. They will also have gallery shows from time to time. So it's a really cool place to just hang out even if you're not seeing a movie.

But anyway, Rebel Without a Cause is a wonderful film that completely capures the 1950s. Specifically the problems with teenage delinquincey. Everything from chicken races, to breaking and entering, to poor parenting. And on top of it, James Dean is just cool. If you haven't seen this movie yet, go out and see it NOW! And if you're in the Chicago area, you can head down to the Gene Siskel Film Center sometime this week before Friday to catch a screening of it. Click here for the Gene Siskel's website.

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008)

Those of you who have been reading us since the beginning (the beginning about a week ago) probably know that I still owe you reviews on Gran Torino, The Visitor and Frozen River. I just thought I should take the time to let you in on a special bonus review...

Most of you didn't see Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Those of you who saw it didn't like it. I'm not quite sure why though. I thought it was a fantastic film -- maybe even tied for the most underrated film alongside In Bruges. Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist even scored an 83% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist is a romantic comedy about well... Nick (Michael Cera) and Norah (Kat Dennings) who are on a quest to find a New York underground indie band, when they instead find each other. While the story might make some incredible leaps at times, you kind of just have to sit back and remember the good old days of being in high school.

At first the age of Nick & Norah seems a little off putting. At times you wonder where their parents were, but then I started to feel like a dinosaur. I know that I have had crazy adventures like this before and I think that's the appeal of this film. It's a nostalgia film, because we all feel like we've been there.

Michael Cera's amazing ability to look awkward never seizes to amaze me. What does amaze me is that this is the first time that I actually think it worked. Kat Dennings on the other hands needs more roles. Her Norah had a variety of levels, and I love her facial expressions -- she dazzled her way across the screen.

The Verdict
If you like indie music and quirky indie romantic comedies than Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist should be at the top of your Netflix Queue. I strongly recommend this film.

How High (2001)

My girlfriend and I decided to watch this movie instead of watching E!'s Oscar Red Carpet Party.

This movie is so bad it's amazing.

Verdict
Watch it on Comedy Central. Please don't pay money for this.

Rachel Getting Married (2008)

Rachel Getting Married is like watching the home wedding video of a couple that belongs to a dysfunctional family that you don't even know. There wasn't a structure to this film, no rising action, no tense building -- not even any character development.

Rachel Getting Married is the story of well, Rachel getting married. However, her dysfunctional ex-junkie sister comes home from rehab and of course chaos ensues.

This film reminded me a point I had in a conversation the other day. I am extremely sick and tired of people telling me a film is good simply because it was a good performance. I do think Anne Hathaway was beyond fantastic in this film -- however, Rachel Getting Married still lacked a certain, como se dice, "good" quality to it.

The film was almost entirely shot handheld -- almost as if the audience were watching a DVD of the wedding and the events surrounding it. It would have been nice to have maybe seen an image stabilizer. The handheld was so ridiculous that there was a point at the wedding reception that people were bumping into the camera -- and while most directors would have redone the shot because it looks like crap, Rachel Getting Married director Jonathan Demme decided that it would probably look more realistic.

I think what kills me the most is that Jonathan Demme directed Silence of the Lambs (1991) and Philadelphia (1993). Those films are classics... I could go on forever about just how terrible Rachel Getting Married really was. A lot of this movie needed to be cut simply because it didn't develop character, or conflict -- without either of the two you have Rachel Getting Married.

This film made me so frustrated that a few friends of mine were genuinely shocked that I actually made it through the film.

The Verdict
Don't see this movie! Anne Hathaway's brilliant performance isn't enough to save this film from being a total catastrophe.

The Wrestler (2008)

While the poster it say that this film was directed by Darren Aronofsky. This wasn't a Darren Aronofsky film. It couldn't possibly be a Darren Aronofsky film -- this was Aranofsky's sad attempt to try and make a PT Anderson movie. Except it failed miserably.
Deciding to break away from films like: pi, Requiem for a Dream and The Fountain -- The Wrestler is about the fictitious life of ex-superstar wrestler Randy "The Ram." It chronicles his life post superstardom as he struggles with normal life and the daughter he abandoned.

While the poster it say that this film was directed by Darren Aronofsky. This wasn't a Darren Aronofsky film. It couldn't possibly be a Darren Aronofsky film -- this was Aranofsky's sad attempt to try and make a PT Anderson movie. Except it failed.

Of course. Aranofsky's film was accompanied by a Clint Mansell score (whom I tend to love). I guess it was actualy Mansell's twin brother who joined an 80's hair metal band. The Wrestler had a disappointing score to say the least. The idea that the cinematographer got an Image award is absolutely ludicrous . The entire film was virtually shot in entirety on steadicam and handheld shots. I understand the nitty gritty reality TV look they were going for... but seriously, would it kill you to use a tripod?

I feel the relationship between Randy "The Ram" and his daughter was the prototype of stereotypical teenage angst. The daughter can't forgive the dad because he was no good, but he promises that he'll make amends even though you know you'll be let down. Maybe it's like real life -- however it's cinematic trite.

This film should not have been in any of your top 10 lists. Mickey Rourke was good, but I don't think I liked him as much as the rest of the world did -- but hey, what's new? Marisa Tomei on the other hand dazzles and masters every scene.

The Verdict
Unless you really like the look of ridiculously grainy un-color-corrected 35mm film on the silver screen AND you can't find anything else at blockbuster. I would recommend renting this film.
Although the film is flawed -- there is enough substance to make it a somewhat enjoyable experience. I'll stand by Aranofsky -- I just hope he doesn't make this a habit.

Preview of 2009

If you're like me, you probably turned the TV off or went to the bathroom as soon as Slumdog Millionaire received it's award for best picture. If you're like me, then you missed a preview of what's to come in 2009. This year during the credits for the Oscars they played clips from some of the movies that we will be seeing in 2009. Some of the criteria for these clips where that the clips had to be brand new, which I'm assuming means they had to use clips that weren't already in trailers.

Check out the previews below. 2o09 looks...interesting...to say the least.

Adam's Upcoming Reviews!

I had to do a lot of catching up for the Oscars tonight -- and let's just say it involved 6 films in a 24 hour period. 

Hopefully tomorrow I'll post my reviews for the following films -->

- The Wrestler

- The Visitor

- Frozen River

- Rachel Getting Married

- Gran Torino

Frost/Nixon was the first of the 6th, and I already posted that review. Is anybody as shocked as I am about Mike's length Oscar timeline? It's kinda ridiculous -- although I suppose after his very tame Paula Abdul like review of Altered States, he owed us all one. I'll put up my final tally as to Oscar predictions and my closing remarks on the subject tomorrow.

Until Tomorrow,

Adam

"...But I think the audience is ready for that"

- Guy Ritchie

The Oscar Tallies Are In

The Oscar Tallies are in, you can check out all the winners below in a previous post, or at the Oscars website.

Vicki, Christina, Barcelona - 1
Milk - 2
Slumdog Millionaire - 8
WALL-E - 1
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - 3
The Dutchess - 1
The Dark Knight - 2
The Reader - 1

The Oscars Have Begun!

It's currently 7:17, the Oscars have officially started...well...the red carpet has officially started, but that's totally apart of the Oscars. Check back periodically, I'll be doing my best to do a live update, so check back periodically if you can't watch the Oscars live.

Red Carpet: Kate Winslet=Hot
Brad and Angelina=In a Hurry
Amy Adams=Hot
Anne Hatheway=hmmm

7:20, here come the guys with the winning envelopes! They're walking sooooooo slow.

Penelope Cruz=Classic/Gorgeous
Jack Black=Akward...kinda funny...maybe drunk

7:27, Montage of the Oscars new set and musical direction. Band on stage, classic jazz band stands, LOT OF CRYSTALS...hmmm, don't know how I feel about this... I'll find out in 3min.

7:38, the set wasn't as bad as i thought it was going to be, but it feels like there's a lot less stage space than in the past. The stage is just a little higher than the floor space and the seats go right up to the stage because they got rid of the orchestra pit. Because of this, Hugh Jackman keeps going into the audience to harass the actors, it gives the Oscars a feel that is much like SNL...I don't think it works for the Oscars. Hugh Jackman's opening musical montage was pretty entertaining.

7:41, Montage of women accepting Oscars. I thought one of the changes they were making to the Oscar's was no more montages, except for the Lifetime Achievement Award.

7:43, WOW they have 5 women presenting the award for Best Supporting Actress.

The Nominees Are:
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler

It's weird...instead of doing a small clip for each nominee each of the five presenters is giving a small description of the actress' roles. I really hope they don't do this for the whole show, I'd rather watch a small clip.

And The Best Supporting Actress of 2008 goes to:

Penelope Cruz

This makes me happy. It was a great movie, with a great cast, and she is just an amazing woman.

And she gave an eloquent speech. I love that woman.

7:53, Good intro for best screenplay, Tina Fey and Steve Martin are great. It seems like this year at the Oscars they're spending more time introducing the presenters than the nominees.

And the Nominees for Best Original Screenplay are:
Frozen River
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Milk
WALL-E

And the Best Original Screenplay of 2008 is:

Milk

Milk, I think is a bit of an upset. I think WALL-E should have one. It's harder to make up a story than adapt a person's real life, you've already got the story here. The politics of the Oscars are already taking affect.

7:59, Nominees for Best Adapted Screenplay:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

And the Best Adapted Screenplay of 2008 is:

Slumdog Millionaire

I'm ok with this.


8:03, Montage of animated movies. The music is overbearing and obnoxious, it feels kind of slapped together or very similar to an art students re-appropriation project.

Nominees For Best Animated Feature:
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
WALL-E

And the Best Animated Feature of 2008 is:

WALL-E

Sweet!

8:08, Nominees for Animated Short Film:
La Maison en Petits Cubes
Lavatory - Love Story
Oktapodi
Presto
This Way Up

And the Best Animated Short of 2008 is:

La Maison en Petits Cubes

This makes me happy, I actually had the chance to see the shorts screen, this one deserved to win. Aw, the poor guy accepting the award can hardly speak English, but it made it ok when he finished his speech with "Domo arigato Mr. Roboto."

8:15, Nominees for Best Art Direction:

Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
The Duchess
Revolutionary Road

And the Best Art Direction of 2008 is:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Ok, this is Bullshit. Yes, the art director had to figure things out for multiple decades, but here's the thing...there were a lot of problems with their art direction. The thing that gave it away was that some times cars wouldn't match the time period. It wasn't consistent enough for this to be the best art direction of 2008. It should have gone to The Dark Knight, it was consistent and it created a world.

Nominees for Best Costume Design:

Revolutionary Road
The Dutchess
Milk
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Australia

And the Best Costume Design of 2008 is:

The Dutchess

Nominees for Best Make-Up:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Hellboy II: The Golden Army

And the Best Make-Up of 2008 is:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

This deserved to win, they freakin' put Brad Pitts face on another guys body! AND CHANGED HIS AGE!

8:25, The guy from Twilight looks like such a creeper. I don't know why you girls find him sooooo attractive. Romance 2008 Montage

8:29, Stay Tuned for a short by Judd Apatow.

8:31, OOOOOHHHH MY GOD, I love Natalie Portman, Ben Stiller is making fun of Jaoquin Phoenix by wearing sun glasses and a big fake beard.

The Nominees for Best Cinematography:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
The Dark Knight
Changeling
The Reader

And the Best Cinematography of 2008 is:

Slumdog Millionaire

Hmmm, I think Dark Knight should have one, it did so many new things with the camera, it was the first movie to use an IMAX camera for a feature length film, it was so much harder. The cinematographer for Slumdog just replicated previous styles of Danny Boyle, nothing new. Yes the movie looked gorgeous, but nothing new.

8:38, Jessica Biel is a bad presenter..."joke...(Wait for laugh...shit! Where's my laugh?)"

8:42, Judd Apatow short with Seth Rogan and James Franco. It's their characters from Pineapple Express sit down and watch movies that weren't nominated for best movie.

Nominees for Best Live Action Short:

Auf Der Strecke (On the Line)
Manon on the Asphalt
New Boy
The Pig
Spielzeugland (Toyland)

And the Best Live Action Short of 2008 is:

Spielzeugland (Toyland)

I can agree with this.

8:52, Another Hugh Jackman musical number with surprise guest Beyonce. They're going through a musical montage of movie musicals. This is slightly ridiculous and awesome at the same time. "THE MUSICAL IS BACK!" - Hugh Jackman

9:02, Nominees for Best Supporting Actor:
Josh Brolin, Milk
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road

And the Best Supporting Actor of 2008 is:

Heath Ledger

This was well deserved, I don't care what any of you think or say. Ben Kingsly was totally dosing off during the acceptance speech.

9:11, Documentary Montage. Why is Bill Mahr at the Oscars...oh wait...I guess he did do a documentary this year.

Nominees for Best Documentary:
The Betrayal
Encounters at the End of the World
The Garden
Man on Wire
Trouble the Water

The Best Documentary of 2008 is:

Man on Wire

This was really good, it deserved to win. Haha, the star of the documentary crepily worked his way on stage and did some magic and balanced the Oscar on his chin.

Noninees for Best Documentary Short Subject:
The Conscience of Nhem En
The Final Inch
Smile Pinki
The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306

And the Best Short Subject Documentary Short Subject of 2008 is:

Smile Pinki

Didn't know anything about these, so I have no opinion.

9:23, Action Montage
Nominees for Best Visual Effects:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Iron Man

And the Best Visual Effects of 2008 are:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

I'm glad the Academy got this one right.

Nominees for Best Sound Editing:
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL-E
Wanted

The Best Sound Editing of 2008 is:

The Dark Knight

SWEET!!!! I wanted this to win, but didn't think it'd win.

The Nominees for Best Sound Mixing:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL-E
Wanted

And the Best Sound Mixing of 2008 is:

Slumdog Millionaire

I'll take it, the soundtrack was really cool.

Will Smith is still on stage presenting.

Nominees for Best Editing:
Frost/Nixon
The Dark Knight
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Best Editing of 2008 is:

Slumdog Millionaire

This is deserved, Danny Boyle's style requires some crazy editing.

9:41, The Jean Hersholt Award goes to - Jerry Louis

9:50, Scores Montage
Nominees for Best Original Score:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Defiance
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL-E

The Best Original Score of 2008 is:

Slumdog Millionaire

They got another one right.

Nominees for Best Original Song:
Slumdog Millionaire - O-Saya and Jai Ho
WALL-E - Down to Earth

The Best Original Song of 2008 is:

Slumdog Millionaire: Jai Ho

I really would have liked to see Peter Gabriel there perform, but I give him mad props for choosing not to perform. Read up on it here.

10:06, Nominees for Best Foreign Film:
The Baader Meinhof Complex (Germany)
The Class (France)
Departures (Japan)
Revanche (Austria)
Waltz with Bashir (Israel)

And the Best Foreign Film of 2008 is:

Departures (Japan)

I didn't see any of these, I have no opinion.

10:10, The In Memoram, was nice, but not suited for TV, there were lots of little projections on the stage, doesn't work too well for TV, it was so hard to see what was going on. And I think they skipped Heath Ledger.

10:18, Nominees for Best Director:
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Gus Van Sant, Milk
Stephen Daldry, The Reader
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

The Best Director of 2008 is:

Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire

Danny Boyle has been working so hard now and he deserved to finally get this. He's a very under rated director.

It looks like the Oscars might end before midnight for the first time in awhile.

10:25, Best Actress winners montage.
Nominees for Best Actress:
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Melissa Leo - Frozen River
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kate Winslet - The Reader

And the Best Actress of 2008 is:

Kate Winslet

WOOOO! She's NEVER EVER WON AN OSCAR! It's kinda funny though that she wins the Oscar for a movie where in ever other awards ceremony she was nominated for best supporting actress. But at least she got an Oscar.

10:36, Montage of Best Actor Winners. PS: Who introduced Michael Douglas? Some def woman? When I find out the answer I'm probably gonna feel like an asshole, but that was weird.
Nominees for Best Actor:

Richard Jenkins - The Visitor
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk
Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

And The Best Actor of 2008 is:

Sean Penn

I still need to see this movie...I feel bad for having not seen it.

10:47, Steven Spielberg!!!! Best Picture Winners/Nominees Montage
Best Picture Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

The Best Picture of 2008 is:

Slumdog Millionaire

Saw this coming a mile away, but I think it was well deserved. I haven't seen all the noms, so I don't know for sure.

Oscar Predictions! By Adam

Well, now that it's that time -- Oscar Time that is... I thought I would make some predictions. I mean this is all what I want to win -- not necessarily who I think will win. Here's my best show. Can I mention that I'm extremely upset that Revolutionary Road was not nominated for best picture or any of the acting categories.

Anyway here's what I think.

BEST PICTURE
[ ] The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
[ ] Frost/Nixon
[ ] Milk
[ ] The Reader
[X] Slumdog Millionaire

DIRECTOR
[ ] David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
[ ] Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
[ ] Gus Van Sant, Milk
[ ] Stephen Daldry, The Reader
[X] Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
[ ] Frozen River
[ ] Happy-Go-Lucky
[ ] In Bruges
[ ] Milk
[X] WALL-E

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
[ ] The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
[ ] Doubt
[ ] Frost/Nixon
[X] The Reader
[ ] Slumdog Millionaire

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
[ ] Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
[ ] Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
[X] Sean Penn, Milk
[ ] Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
[ ] Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
[ ] Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
[ ] Angelina Jolie, Changeling
[ ] Melissa Leo, Frozen River
[ ] Meryl Streep, Doubt
[X] Kate Winslet, The Reader

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
[ ] Josh Brolin, Milk
[ ] Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
[ ] Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
[X] Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
[ ] Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
[ ] Amy Adams, Doubt
[X] Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
[ ] Viola Davis, Doubt
[ ] Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
[ ] Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
[ ] The Baader Meinhof Complex (Germany)
[ ] The Class (France)
[ ] Departures (Japan)
[ ] Revanche (Austria)
[X] Waltz with Bashir (Israel)

ANIMATED FEATURE
[ ] Bolt
[ ] Kung Fu Panda
[X] WALL-E

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
[ ] The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)
[ ] Encounters at the End of the World
[ ] The Garden
[X] Man on Wire
[ ] Trouble the Water

DOCUMENTARY SHORT -- I know nothing about these. So I have no idea where to guess.
[ ] The Conscience of Nhem En
[ ] The Final Inch
[ ] Smile Pinki
[ ] The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306

SHORT FILM - ANIMATED
[ ] La Maison En Petits Cubes
[ ] Lavatory - Lovestory
[ ] Oktapodi
[X] Presto
[ ] This Way Up

SHORT FILM - LIVE ACTION -- Same thing as above.
[ ] Auf Der Strecke (On the Line)
[ ] Manon on the Asphalt
[ ] New Boy
[ ] The Pig
[ ] Spielzeugland (Toyland)

ORIGINAL SCORE
[ ] The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
[ ] Defiance
[ ] Milk
[ ] Slumdog Millionaire
[X] WALL-E

ORIGINAL SONG
[X] "Down to Earth" - WALL-E
[ ] "Jai Ho" - Slumdog Millionaire
[ ] "O Saya" - Slumdog Millionaire

ART DIRECTION
[ ] Changeling
[ ] The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
[X] The Dark Knight
[ ] The Duchess
[ ] Revolutionary Road

CINEMATOGRAPHY
[ ] Changeling
[ ] The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
[X] The Dark Knight
[ ] The Reader
[ ] Slumdog Millionaire

COSTUME DESIGN
[ ] Australia
[ ] The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
[X] The Duchess
[ ] Milk
[ ] Revolutionary Road

MAKEUP
[ ] The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
[ ] The Dark Knight
[X] Hellboy II: The Golden Army

SOUND MIXING
[ ] The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
[ ] The Dark Knight
[X] Slumdog Millionaire
[ ] WALL-E
[ ] Wanted

SOUND EDITING
[ ] The Dark Knight
[ ] Iron Man
[X] Slumdog Millionaire
[ ] WALL-E
[ ] Wanted

VISUAL EFFECTS
[X] The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
[ ] The Dark Knight
[ ] Iron Man

FILM EDITING
[ ] The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
[ ] The Dark Knight
[ ] Frost/Nixon
[ ] Milk
[X] Slumdog Millionaire

Altered States (1980)

Altered States (1980) is a trip film that follows a professor who is obsessed with altered states of consciousness. He spends his time studying subjects inside of sensory deprivation tanks, and even studying himself while in a sensory deprivation tank. He obsession continues to the point where he starts experimenting with mind altering substances that Native American's have used for rituals. He eventually tires the drug while in the sensory deprivation tank and his visualizations become so intense that his mind thinks they're real and his hallucinations become actualizations.

The movie tended to rely on the concept of what would happen if your hallucinations because so intense that the mind thought it was real. That's it. It was the writer playing the, "Wouldn't it be cool if..." game. When I heard about this movie I was hoping for something very David Cornenberg-esque, a-la Videodrome. Unlike David Cronenberg, this movie had no social commentary or psychological terror. Altered States relies on it's fantastical trip sequences, which aren't half bad for 1980. The first half of the movie is the characters talking about the same thing over and over again, but just years after they said it the previous time. I'm pretty sure the writter did this because he didn't know how to take his concept and stretch it to a feature length script.

If you like trip sequences and you just like plain ole horror with no depper meaning for the human condition, then you'll probably like this movie. Just know this movie is nothing more than that.

The 81st Anual Academy Awards

Ok folks, the Oscars are tonight (duh), so it's time to get all of your friends together, sit in front of the TV, and endorse the egos of celebrities. What a wonderful night it truly is. It's a night where a group of unknown people tell us what the best movie of the year is, actors, actresses, director, etc. I LOVE IT!

But seriously, it is a night of recognition, giving mad props to the artists who worked their asses off and created new, interesting, and emotional works of art. Not to mention a night of hot sexy people in extravagant dresses. But what better way to give recognition than by playing TVGuidecom's Official Oscar Drinking Game. That's right folks, you can now watch the Oscars and get drunk too and not seem like an alcoholic, because now you have a purpose to your drinking, and you'll (hopefully) be with friends! So head over to TVGuide.com for the complete rules and regulations of the game. If i can get enough people to play, I'll be playing tonight. The game starts at 7PM Central Standard Time on ABC.